Let's talk snacks, shall we? Arux has developed site-level before and after school snack reporting from the Arux Connect: Child Care app for iOS (AC:CC) to help after school programs access state and federally assisted snack services.
This new system report helps programs access services through the following programs under the USDA:
The USDA's Food and Nutrition Services administers these programs at the federal level to allow education and enrichment programs to provide kids with the nutrition they need to stay full and focused after school. State agencies administer them at the state level, some through the Department of Health or Human Services, and some through the Department of Education, operating the snack service through agreements with local school food authorities (SFAs).
After school programs that provide regularly scheduled activities in a structured and supervised environment can receive cash subsidies from the USDA for each snack they serve under the program.
For eligible sites to receive funding, they must record and report the total number of snacks served each day.
Within AC:CC, programs can record regular meals in real time and share this information with the state. The report includes vital information necessary to adhere to reporting requirements, including the child's name, grade, date, snack, attendance status, and more. Programs can export this report into multiple formats, including Excel, CSV, ODT, and PDF.
Schools are ideal locations to serve meals during their after school program
According to No Kid Hungry, almost one in eight children struggles with hunger, and for every 100 school lunches provided to school-aged kids, only 12 snacks are provided. These grants aim to help bridge that gap.
Increasing access to site-level information
Improving data reporting systems is one opportunity to increase growth within after school meal programs. This would allow for more robust analysis, driving further program improvements.
Developing this new snack reporting capability continues our emphasis on providing real-time onsite information for admin staff to collect and analyze. After school operations require real-time mobile information gathering and updates from staff on the ground, and increasingly this information is necessary to meet state mandates or unlock access to critical federal or state funding.
Are you struggling to report on snacks or any information related to federal or state funding opportunities? We would love to discuss those opportunities and show you how Arux can help.